‘Oh,’ said Kate, stepping into the kitchen and depositing some things she’d been using with the boys onto the kitchen table. ‘I thought I heard voices.’ Her smile was bright and warm. ‘You must be Oliver.’
‘I am.’
Kate shook his extended hand. ‘I’m Kate MacLeod, Lucy’s mother. I’m so glad you were able to come to lunch.’
‘Not often I receive an invitation to a family lunch. I hope I’m not intruding.’
‘Not at all. We often include friends.’ He looked out the window, and Kate followed his glance. ‘That lot aren’t all mine.’ She grinned. ‘Megan is a good friend and the local school teacher. Ryan is George and’ — she glanced around and pointed to a toddler crawling through a flower bed — ‘Alfie’s dad. I’ll introduce you to them all.’
She looked at Lucy. ‘Are you sure you don’t need a hand, darling?’
Lucy shook her head. ‘I’ve got it, Mum. You both go outside and leave me to it.’
Kate turned to Oliver and raised her eyebrows. ‘My Lucy likes to do things her way.
Oliver shot her a sideways glance. ‘I can imagine.’
‘She claims we get in the way.’
‘You do. And you are,’ said Lucy firmly, really wanting them both gone. ‘Go and top up the champagne.’
‘Ah,’ said Oliver, going towards the basket. ‘I can help you there.
‘We don’t want lemonade.’
To her annoyance he ignored her and opened the basket and pulled out an expensive bottle of champagne. He held it out to her. ‘I assumed you were joking.’
She hadn’t been. She’d wanted him to look a fool in front of her family and she felt ashamed now as she realised he knew perfectly well what she’d done.
‘Right.’ She paused. ‘And I suppose you don’t have the much-longed-for supermarket coleslaw?’
‘I didn’t make these salads, but my local delicatessen in Wellington did. He pulled out an array of dishes, which made Lucy’s mouth water.
She took them from him. ‘I’ll…’ She gestured towards the kitchen.
‘Sure. And I’ll join Kate.’ They both looked to where Kate was waiting diplomatically outside for him.
Lucy watched him step away. ‘Er, Oliver?’
He stopped and turned to her. ‘Thanks for bringing these. Although I will miss Woolies’ coleslaw.’
He huffed a laugh. ‘There’s one in the basket, especially for you. Oh, and a can of lemonade. I didn’t want to disappoint you.’
One step ahead as usual. Lucy watched as he walked with Kate to the others who all turned to greet him, most with a wary smile. She was glad her mother had offered to introduce him to everyone. It was bad enough he was here, but watching the faces of her family as they tried to figure out what Lucy really felt for this stranger would have been trying.
But she couldn’t remain inside forever. By the time she emerged from the house, Oliver was seated beside Kate.
‘Come and sit down, Lucy,’ called Kate, before Lucy could escape to hang out with Sam and Dan at the barbecue. ‘You must be finished in the kitchen now.’
‘Yep, all done.’ Lucy sat in the vacant chair opposite Oliver. Their gazes tangled briefly before she studiously looked away. ‘So, what have I missed?’
‘Kate was telling me about the bench you’re sitting on. How it was your great grandmother’s.’
‘Oh, yeah. Ngaire. Did Mum also tell you that she reckons I take after her?’
’She may have mentioned it.’
Lucy glanced at her mother who was helping Liam with something. ‘I bet she did. Ngaire was pretty scary and, so, apparently can I be.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Who knew?’
